Seabtjby sowle



@nitrati tetes getraut @ffies SEABURY SOWLE, OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.

Letters Patent No. 68,391, dated September 3, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN STAGING.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, SEABURY SOWLE, of New Albany, i-n the county of Floyd, and in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gangway Stages; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and t the letters of reference marked thereon.

In the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, A represents my skid or gangWay-stage, which consistscf two side timbers (very thick boards orplank) placed on edge, at a suitable distance apart, (the distance the gangway should be wide,) and connected together by a series of cross-ribs c c c. Narrow, stout strips B B are secured upon the ribs c c, on one side of the frame thus formed, These strips are so secured to the ribs and side timbers that a close joint is formed, whereby, when the skid is turneld with its stripped side downwards, and placed in thewater, it will answer as a boat.

When the skid is designed to be used as a gangway, the stripped side is placed up, one end of said skid resting upon the boat, and the other upon the land or wharf-boat, upon which passengers or freight are to be conveyed. Ropes are placed along the sides of the skid, which are attached adjustably to it, andwhich may be detached, for drawing the skid ashore or on board when necessary. Metallic strips or plates D D are secured upon the ends of the skid, to protect them from lwear, and launching and drawing the skid in.

Having thus fully described -my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The within-described skid, constructed and used substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of May, 1867.

SEABURY SOWLE.

Witnesses:

CHAS. H. SowLE, JAMES N. PAYTON. 

